Accuracy Contest to Join Speed/Style Shows at MLL Skills
Competition

Will Hamilton's Brett Queener have what it takes to repeat as
MLL Freestyle Competition champion? We'll find out on Saturday, as
he is one of four to be selected for this year's edition of the
annual exhibition, which takes place at halfitme of the All-Star
game in Charlotte.

The Freestyle work will be joined as usual by the fastest-shot
competition, but those will have a third act this weekend, as the
league has added a long-distance accuracy event for the first
time.

Queener is a two-time winner in his event, having taken honors
both last year with a routine that included some dancing and stick
twirling before a karate kick finish to earn the title (though we
feel that Stephen Berger may have been robbed). In 2009, he won the
event with a combination thriller-dance and back-breaker goal.

This time, he faces 2010 event winner Kevin Buchanan, along with
newcomers Mike Stone (Boston) and Rob Pannell (New York).

In the fastest shot competition, two-time reigning champ Kyle
Hartzell will take on challengers Steven Brooks (Chesapeake) and
Jeremy Sieverts (Denver) as well as first-timer Mike Manley
(Rochester).

The first-ever accuracy contest consists of the players
attempting to score from the opposite end of the field. MLL leading
goal-scorer at the break Chris Bocklet (Denver) will be taking on
Brodie Merrill (Hamilton), Ryan Flanagan (Charlotte) and Kip Turner
(Chesapeake). It'll be interesting to see how this one pans out,
since all but Bocklet are from the defensive end of the field,
where long, cross-field passes are a big part of the game, compared
to the shorter, more zipped passes on the offensive end.

All of the game action as well as the skills competition will be
broadcast on ESPN2 on Saturday night, with face-off scheduled for 7
p.m.